Pumping system



1931- J. OLIPHANT PUMPING SYSTEM Original Filed Au 51. 1927 WM 7 5 h [72216722072 Jdm/ 032727207132 by W5 Patented Dec. 1, 1931 esmaswms PATENT GFFICE JOHN OLIPHANT, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, Ass eNoR 'r o sIiL IvAN MACHINERY com PAN-Y, a CORPORATION or mssncrrusnrrs i Y Pe /[Prim sYsrEM Application filed August 3 1, 1927, Serial No; 216,661. Renewed March 13, 1931. 7

My invention relates to pumping systems and more particularly to displacement pumps. 7 I An object of my invention is to provide an improved pumping apparatus. Another object is to provide an improved pumping apparatus particularly adapted for use. where it is desired to discharge into elevated tanks.

A further object is to provide improved 7 pumping mechanism which may be operated either as a displacement pump or as an air lift pump. A further objectis to provide improved adjustable automatic controlling mechanism for a dlsplacement pump. These and other objects and advantagesyvill, however, subsequently more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one form which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view of the entire I pumping system.

F ig. 2 is a centralvertical section showing my improved controlling mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the displacement unit. I r 'I j Fig. 4t is a fragmentary view in endelevation of the control mechanism shown in Fig. 2.

In the illustrative embodiment of my im- 30 proved pumping system a compressor 1 sup,-

plies compressed fluid through a pipe 2 to. a

receiver tank 3. From the receiver tank compressed fluid is conducted through 'a pipe '4: and valve 5 to the air line 6 which leads to the displacement unit 7 in the well. The. displacement unit which I have shown comprises a U-shaped member or footpiece S provided with check valves10 and 9 on one side and in the bottom of the footpiece. A tail into the other upward opening is fitted one" end of a filling chamber or displacement tank 18 which in turn is connected to the air line pipe 11 is connected to the bottom of the U- 6.- Any other type of'displacement may i be substituted 'for the one. shown and de,

.scribed,-for example, the ordinary displace-i ment barrel..- At the top of the discharge pipe 12 is showna pipe 12', provided with an out-- wardly openingcheck valve 14 for conducting liquid to whereverit-is desired to be pu'mpedlas for example, into elevated tanks.

17 which is also rigidly connected to the dashpot piston 18 in the ,dashpot cylinder. This plunger also carries at its upper end a weight suitable manner and has therein a plunger which carries at its upper end a crosshead' My improved controllingmechanism in- 1 cludesapa'ir of cylinders 15 and 16, the for- 19for normally maintaining the same in its lower position as shown in Fig. 2 until operated on byffiuid pressure in the discharge pipe12. Since the operating plunger and dashp'ot piston are interconnected by the crosshead 17 the rate of movement of one may be controlled by the-rate of movement of theother. For controlling the movement of the. dashpot piston I have employed suitable by-pass pipes 20, 21 and 22. The pipes 20 and 21 each have downwardly opening check valves 23 and 23 and regulating valves 24 and 24 respectively for controlling the-up: ward-movement of the crosshead 17. pipe 22 also has a regulating valve 25 and an upwardly opening check valve 26 for con-. trolling the rate of. movement of the .crosshead 17 in a downward direction and has two.

points of communication with the lower end of the dashpot cylinder. Means are provided between the crosshead 17 and the valve 5 whereby movement ofthe crosshe ad 17 con- The cos-

is also controlled by the position of the crosshead 17. The valves 5 and 27 are of the fluid pressure operated diaphragm type, the valve 5 adapted to be held open by fluid pressure on its diaphragm 29, while the valve 27 is adapted to be held closed by fluid pressure on its diaphragm 80. Any suitable gravity operated mechanisms 31 and 32 may be employed for holding these valves in the position opposite to that in which the fluid pressure tends to hold them. Compressed fluid is.

transmitted'through the line 33,-.stop valve 33 and regulating valve 34 to a cylinderfitimv having a pilot valve 87 therein, the position of which is controlled "by the crosshead "17';

This pilot valve cylinder has three additional openings, one for connection to eachoflthen, valves 5 and 27 by Way of pipes 38 and 39','and a third connected to ithe atmosphere at,;40.-

Adjustable stops 41 and 42 on the pilot valve rock-43 provide a lost motion connection v between the crosshead- 17 and the pilot valves The form o f pilot valve which I have illusetrated is of the balanced piston typezhaving abalancingnpassages 44 therethrough, but oil:

course-any other valve whichl is-capable of performingthe required operations-may be ficient friction to (hold the valve in its difderent positions, but any other suitable means Fig. -2, when :the operating piston is at its lower position-andthelevel of liquid has risen-in the displacement unit and fil'led. the chainber-lfiigthestop valve 33 is opened,.-ad-

emittingpressurefluid from: the line4 through theptlotvalve cylinder 36b=to the diaphragms 29 and 3Oa The, valve 5 isthen openedand the valve 27 closed, whereupon pressure fluid flows through the line 6 t0 the..filzling..cham-.. iber: 13, creat-ing a pressure inthe. displacement memberflwhichseats the valve 9,.o'penss the2valveu1Q :and forces theaccumnlated charge of liquid upwardly'through-the .dis-; charge; pipe .12. The operatingplungeiazlmi 24 is. closed, thezsupplywalve 5 will be held continuously open and-the system wouldCp- 7 erate-asan air lifflpump} Tliis'ieature is begins to riseat the; time when the pressure:

ofithe: liquid or the air compressed-ahead of iteis'i sufiic'ient -to .overcome the counter-bale. ance ,:weight '19." Assuming: nowuthatithe. valve 24 is open,z fluid vfrom above the dashpot piston .:will:fi0w past the check valve 23 to, .tl1e,:lower end+of the cylinder, allowing: the piston to be moved upwardly at a fairlyrapid rate provided the valve 24- is adjusted to permit'ra rapid flow This causes. .the cross-head 171tovmove upward tovengage the stop 41' and lift thelpilotvalve-to open the line ,38: tor; the atmosphere, vthereby :OlGSi ng; l: the valve. 5 and-cutting off the supply of pres-5:, sure ifluid @to the; displacement unit. .a The err-,1 p ansive actionyot the air, is then- .1 taken 1 ad-i vantage of to complete the operation of ejecting the liquid and the interval of time through which this expansion may take place is controlled by regulating the rate of further upward movement of the piston 18 and pilot valve 37. This regulation is accom plished by means of the valve 24 which is preferably adjusted so as to allow only a restricted flow in order that the power medium may be used expansively. By the appropriate adjustment of thevalve 24, the venting of the chamber 131.1nay beei'lected before the liquid is entirely discharged therefrom. By the time the liquid has all been dischargedfpastfthe valve -l4 the pilot -valvcto such an extent thatthe weight 19 begins tozmove thcgplunger: .1 5fido3vnwardly. Dur

ing this: downward movem nt oftheplunger 15 another charge of liquid is accumulating;

in :the, filling chamber lirand, it is therefore desiredgto: control, this movement; ;so.-; as to, allow sutficient time uto .elapseltor the; chamhereto.,beicompletelyzfilledr; For :this; pur

,pose the by-p ass pipe 22-a11clregulating valve.

i-sprovided which controls :thetotatdovvn- ,Wa-rd stroke of, the plunger. It; wil-lbenoted that: when the crosshead 17 moves against the stop 42 the. pilot :valve 37: will again be moved downward cfirst admitting pressure,

.fluidto the; valve 27z'andclosing the same and vlatervopening; thc valve :5;,to;again supply pressure fillldtrl the lmeii and displacement member; 7 for forcmg out; another charge f 1 quid',:and=thesame oycle'ofoperations as.

above, describedqis; repeated during the nor- 4 -mal operation of the system By using the .,double commnnication :withthe dashpot cylinder the movement effecting closure--of. the ,vent valve 27%and opening of supply valve 5 may be madefairly;arapicLithereby eliminatngloss of. time when. neither filling nor emptying is in process. It;fiVlllql)?:HOtGd'*lillfiliWliGIlJlillQ' parts are in ;the'. POSIHOIISlLOWIl' in Fig. 2, if thevalv'e particularly] advantageous in wellsf where the avai la ble static' head isjat times sufli'cient forefficient-air-lift pump performance, while at"other"times the, head and therefore the submergence of the footpiece is so reduced t tsp ace en pump ,operation is. moreefficient.

While rl hitvel inftl application. specificallydescribed; one .form V which my inventionmay assume n practice, itwillbe understood that' this form of the same-isshown for-pup poses'ot illustration and that the invention Kilt:

,may ,be? modified and embodied in various: ,7

other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appendedclaims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure .movable means for relieving the pressure in said filling chamber for a certain t1me interval after discharge during the filling operation, automatic means for reopening the air line to again eject the liquid from the filling chamber, and adjustable means for independently regulating each of said time intervals to suit difierent operating conditions.

2. In a displacement pump, a displacement unit, a pressure fluid line leading thereto, a valve in said line for controlling admission oi pressure fluid to said displacement unit, a separate valve for connecting said displacement unit to exhaust, and automatic means responsive to discharge of liquid from said unit for operating said valves at difierent times and properly timed relation.

3. In a displacement pumpv for raising liquid and discharging it against pressure, a displacement unit, means for supplying pressure fiuid thereto, separate means for exhausting the same, valves for controlling said supply and exhaust means, and common control means for opening and closing said valves periodically, said valves operating at dilierent times and in properly timed relation in response to discharge of fluidfrom the displacement unit.

4. In a pumping system for discharging liquid against substantial pressure, a displacement unit, means for supplying pressure fiuid thereto to eject liquid therefrom, exhaust means for relieving fluid pressure in said unit during the filling operation, said unit also having a liquid discharge pipe connected thereto, valve means automatically operated in response to variations in pressure in said discharge pipe for controlling the supply and exhaust, and control means for regulating said valve means so as independently to control the time of cut-oil, exhaust an d admission. i

In a pumping system for discharging liquid against substantial pressure, a displafement unit, means for supplying pressure fluid thereto to eject liquid therefrom, exhaust means for relieving fluid pressure in said unit during the filling operation, said unit also having a liqui d discharge pipe connected thereto, valve means for controlling said supply and exhaust, and means for automatically operating said valvemeans 1n response to variations of pressure in said discharge pipe comprising an operating cylinder connected to the discharge pipe, an operating piston therein, a resistance to movement of said piston, means operatively associated with said valve means and controlled by the position of said piston, and means for adjusting said resist-ancecto control the time of admission and exhaust.

6. Ina pumping system for discharging liquid against substantial pressure, a displacement unit, means for supplying pressure fluid thereto to eject liquid therefrom, exhaust means for relieving fiuid pressure in said unit during the filling operation, said unit also having a liquid discharge pipe connected thereto, valve means for controlling said supply and exhaust, and means for automatically operating said valve means in re sponse to variations of pressure in said discharge pipe comprising an operating cylinder connected to the discharge pipe, an operating-piston therein, a dashpot 'cylinder having a piston therein, said pistons being interconnected, means associated with'said dashpot cylinder for controlling the'rate of movement of said pistons upwardly and downwardly independently, and an operative connection between said pistons and said valve means,

7'. In a pumping system for discharging liquid against substantial pressure, a displacement unit, means for supplying pressure fiuid thereto to eject liquid therefrom, exhaust means for relieving fluid pressure in said unit during the filling operation, said unit also having a liquid discharge pipe connected thereto, independently operable valves placement unit, means for supplying pressure fluid thereto to eject liquid therefrom, exhaust means for relieving fluid pressure in said unit during the filling operation, said unit also having a liquid discharge pipe connected thereto, separate valve means for controlling said supply and exhaust, and separate fluid pressure operated means for automatically operating said valve means and controlling means for said fluid pressure means including a plunger actuated directly by pressure in said discharge pipe, a pilot valve operated by movement of said plunger, and adjustable means for controlling the rate of movement of said plunger and pilot valve.

9. In a pumping system for discharging liquid against substantial pressure, a displacement unit, means for supplying pressure fluid thereto to eject liquid therefrom, ex-

haust means for relieving-fluid pressure in said unit during the filling operation, said unit also having a liquid discharge pipe connected thereto, valve means for controlling said supply and exhaust, and means for automatically operating said valve means in response to variations ofpressure in said dis charge pipe comprising an operating cylinder connected to the discharge pipe, an operating piston therein, a dashpot cylinder having a piston, therein, said pistons being interconnected, means associated with saiddashpot cylinder for controlling the rate of movement of said pistons, and. an operative connection between said piston and said valve, said rate controlling means comprising bypass passages for permitting fluid in said dashpot cylinder to flow from one side of the piston to. the other, one of said by-passes permitting flow of fluid in only one direction and another of said by-passes permitting flow of fluid in only the opposite direction...

10. In apumping system for dischargingliquid againstsubstantial pressure, a displacement unit, means for supplying pressure fluid thereto to eject liquid therefrom, exhaust means for relieving fluid pressure in said unit during the filling operation, said. unit also having a liquid discharge pipe con nected thereto, valve means for controlling said supply and exhaust, and means for automatically operating said valve means responsive to pressure in said discharge pipe comprising-an operating cylinder connected to. the dischar e m e. an ODGLHi/III istonv c; 1. 1 n b thcrein,a dash-pot cylinder having a piston therein, said pistons being interconnected, means for controlling the rate of movement of said pistons comprising a plurality of valved by-pass passages communicating with the dashpot cylinder permitting flow of fluid from one side of said dashpot piston to the other in only one direction and a single valved passage permitting flow in only the reverse direction, and an. operative connection between said pistons and said valve means.

11. In a pumping system for discharging liquid against substantial pressure, a: displace inent unit, means for supplying pressure fluid thereto to; eject liquid therefrom, exhaust means for relieving fluid pressure inisaid unit during the filling operation, said. unitalso'having a liquid discharge pipe connected thereto, valve means for controlling said supply and exhaust, and means for auto matically operating said valve means responsive to pressure in said discharge pipe comprising an operating cylinder connected to the discharge pipe, an operating piston therein, a dashpot cylinder having a piston therein, said pistons being interconnected, meansfor controlling the rate of movement of said pis tons comprising a plurality ot alved bypass passages communicating with the dashpot cylinder permitting flow of fluid from one side 0t said dashpot piston to the other in one direction and asingle valved passa e permiting flow in the reverse direction, and an operative connection between said pistons and. said valve means, one; of said passages adapted to be closed whereby pressure fluid is continuously supplied to said displacement unit for operating the system as an air lift pump. I

12.. In a displacement pumping system, a displacement tank having check valves and a discharge pipe associated therewith, a supply line for supplying actuating fluid to said. tank, means for automatically cutting olf said supply after liquid hasbeen discharging under full pressure from said tank for a certain time interval, means for connecting said tank toexhaust a definite time after said cutting oft operation so as to permit expansive action of said actuating fluid, said exhaust connection being maintained open for a dolinite time intervalto permit filling of said tank, and means for separately controlling the periods of exhaust, admission and exl n. displacement pumping system, a single displacement tank having a checkvalved' dischargepipc associatedtherewith, means for supplying actuating fluid to said tank to initiate, and maintain while said supply continues, discharge of liquid through said discha e pipe, means independent of the iquid level in said tank for automatically int uptingactuating luid supply substantially subsequentto the initiation of discharge of liquid by said aqtuating fluid but while said tank is still partially full, and means, operati -ily after furthersubstantial period. of liquid discharge but prior to complete emptying or said tank, for automatically connecting said tank to exhaust independently of said discharge pipe.

14. In a displacement pumping system, a single displacement tank having a checkvalved discharge pipe associated therewith, and means for controlling the filling and emptying of said tank including means for supplying actuating fluid to said tank to initiate, and: to maintain while said supply continues, discharge of liquid through said discharge pipe, means independent 01"" the liquid level in said tank for automatically interrupting the supply of actuating fluid substantially subsequent tothe initiation of discharge of liquid by said actuating fluid but while-said tank is still partially full, and means-operative only attera further substantial period of liquid discharge but prior to complete emptying of said tank for automatic y connecting said tank to exhaust independently of said discharge pipe, said controlling means including means for separately varying the period of, supply of actuating fluid to said tank after liquid discharge commences and the period intervening between interruption of actuating fluid supply and the connection of said tank to exhaust.

15. In a pumping system for raising liquid I and discharging it against pressure, a pump ing chamber, means for supplying actuating fluid thereto and for venting the same to permit filling, and controlling means for said actuating fluid supplying means and venting means includinga plunger moved by pumped liquid in one direction and connected for communication with the pumped liquid to effect substantially immediate cessation of the contact of said plunger With the pumped liquid on cessation of the pumping operation.

16. In a displacement pumping system, a displacement tank having check valves and a discharge pipe associated therewith, a supply line for supplying actuating fluid to said tank, means dependent upon the discharge of liquid from said tank for automatically cutting oflf said supply after liquid has been discharging under full pressure from said tank for a certain time interval, means for connecting said tank to exhaust a definite time after said cutting off operation so as to per Init expensive action of said actuating fluid, said exhaust connection being maintained open for a definite time interval to permit filling of said tank, and means for separately controlling the periods of exhaust, admission and expansion.

17. In a displacement pumping system, a displacement tank having a check-valved discharge pipe associated therewith, means for supplying actuating fluid to said tank to initiate, and to maintain While said supply continues, discharge of liquid through said discharge pipe, means independent of the liquid level in said tank but dependent upon the discharge of liquid from said tank for automatically interrupting actuating fluid supply substantially subsequent to the initiation of dis- JOHN OLIPHANT.

charge of liquid by said actuating fluid but While said tank is still partially full, and means, operative only after a further substantial period of liquid discharge but prior to complete emptying of said tank, for automatically connecting said tank to exhaust independently of said discharge pipe.

18. In a displacement pumping system, a displacement tank having a check-valved discharge pipe associated therewith, and means for controlling the filling and emptying of said tank including means for supplying actuating fluid to said tank to initiate, and to maintain While said supply continues, discharge of liquid through said discharge pipe, means independent of the liquid level in said tank but dependent upon the discharge of liquid from said tank for automatically interrupting the supply of actuating fluid substantially subsequent to the initiation of discharge of liquid by said actuating fluid but while said tank is still partially full, and means operative only after a further substan- 

